Dr. John Willke—
• President of Life Issues Institute
• Founder, 22 year President-
International Right to Life Federation,
• Co-founder, 10 year (past) President-
National Right to Life Committee

"The doctor known as the founder of the pro-life movement has endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination...

" “Unlike other candidates who only speak to the importance of confronting the major social issues of the day, Governor Romney has a record of action in defending life,” Dr. Willke said. “Every decision he made as governor was on the side of life. I know he will be the strong pro-life president we need in the White House, Governor Romney is the only candidate who can lead our pro-life and pro-family conservative movement to victory in 2008.”...

"Dr. Willke, helped found the National Right To Life Committee and served for 10 years as its president. Dr. Willke serves as president of the Life Issues Institute, Inc., and president of the International Right to Life Federation.

"Dr. Willke a physician, had a daily radio program that was carried on over 300 radio stations for 20 years. His one-minute radio comments, entitled "Life Jewels," were carried on over 750 stations in English and 300 more in Spanish. He has written eleven books, and is a lecturer and a frequent television and radio show guest. His works have been published in 32 languages, and he and his wife Barbara have lectured in 76 countries."

(See also the following link for his credentials)

National Right to Life Political Action Committee (PAC) statements:

“WASHINGTON – Determined to secure a pro-life victory in the November election, which will decide the fate of unborn children for decades to come, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, today endorsed Mitt Romney for President of the United States.

“ “On pro-life issues, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama provide a stark contrast. As the country's most pro-abortion president, Barack Obama has pursued a radical pro-abortion agenda,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “It is now time for pro-life Americans to unite behind Mitt Romney. For the sake of unborn children, the disabled, and the elderly, we must win.”

“Mitt Romney has taken a strong pro-life position and is committed to implementing policies to protect the unborn, the medically dependent and disabled, and the elderly. Romney opposes abortion and has called the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, "a big mistake." Romney has expressed his support of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion.

“Romney has also stated he believes the Obama health care law should be repealed. The Obama health care law would open the door to federal subsidies for abortion coverage and rationing of lifesaving medical care. He has also stated that, if elected, he would reinstate the Mexico City Policy, which prevents federal dollars from going to organizations that perform or promote abortion overseas.

“In comparison, since taking office in January 2009, President Obama has been an outspoken advocate for abortion and has unceasingly worked to expand funding of and access to abortion...”

"National Right to Life also appreciates the pro-life position taken in this presidential campaign by former governor Mitt Romney."

(archived page — data on original link expired)

National Right to Life endorses Romney, compares with Obama - Apr 12, 2012

Recommended:

National Right to Life has produced information on the records of Obama and Romney, and has related videos:

Anne Fox— President of Massachusetts Citizens for Life

“Since being elected governor, Mitt Romney has had a consistent commitment to the culture of life. As governor, he worked closely with Massachusetts Citizens for Life. Misguided attempts to blame Mitt Romney for the fact that state-funded health care in Massachusetts funds abortion ignore the facts. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in 1981 that the Massachusetts Constitution requires the funding of abortion. This decision forces Massachusetts to fund abortion to the same extent it funds other medical procedures. A 1986 attempt to overturn the court ruling with a Constitutional Amendment failed. Obviously, in providing health coverage, the governor and the legislature were bound by this decision.”

"Ms. Fox of Citizens for Life says her antiabortion group began having regular contact with a Romney aide [while Romney was governor] and through him asked if Mr. Romney's wife, Ann, would become an honorary chairwoman of its new capital campaign. She did so."

Massachusetts Citizens for Life endorses Mitt Romney

"Romney’s home state group — the organization that perhaps knows his conversion to the pro-life perspective and record as former governor of the Bay State better than any — is endorsing him...

" “As the country’s most pro-abortion president, Barack Obama has pursued a radical pro-abortion agenda,” the organization told LifeNews. “In contrast, as governor, Mitt Romney worked closely with MCFL. He takes a strong pro-life position and is committed to implementing policies to protect the unborn, the medically dependent, the disabled, and the elderly.” ...

"John Rowe, the chairman of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life PAC, said, “... We look forward to Mitt Romney’s election as our next pro-life president on November 6th.” "

Marie Sturgis— Executive Director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life

"It’s a view echoed by Marie Sturgis, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, who says, “Having Governor Romney in the corner office for the last four years has been one of the strongest assets the pro-life movement has had in Massachusetts. His actions concerning life issues have been consistent and he has been helpful down the line for us in the Bay State.” "

Kris Mineau— President of Massachusetts Family Institute

"Mineau is among those Massachusetts social conservatives who are grateful to have had Romney in the statehouse... “For the four years of his administration, Governor Romney provided strong leadership on key conservative social issues — whether it was politically expedient to do so or not.” He tells National Review Online, “I believe Mitt Romney has done an excellent job in defending traditional family values in Massachusetts despite an extremely hostile legislature and judiciary, not to mention an attorney general and secretary of state who both opposed everything the governor stood for.” ...

"Mineau is among the signatories of a letter expected to be released on Thursday by a coalition of “organizations dedicated to fighting for the pro-family agenda in Massachusetts.” ... The letter, which organizers provided NRO with drafts of Wednesday night, defends the governor’s record and praises his staff for their commitment to affirming a culture of life, protecting traditional marriage, and defending religious liberty. Among those signing the letter are Harvard University law professor Mary Ann Glendon (who also serves as the president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences in Rome)."

" “On marriage and cloning, he has provided aggressive leadership as a positive, pro-family governor,” says Kris Mineau of the Massachusetts Family Institute."

• Thomas A. Shields— Chairman, Coalition for Family and Marriage
• James Morgan— President, Institute for Family Development
• Joseph Reilly— President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life
• Rita Covelle— President, Morality in Media Massachusetts
• Kris Mineau— President of Massachusetts Family Institute
• Other Massachusetts pro life leaders

An Open Letter Regarding Governor Mitt Romney (January 11, 2007):

“As you know, Mitt Romney became the governor of our state in 2003. Since that time, we have worked closely with him...

“Some press accounts and bloggers have described Governor Romney in terms we neither have observed nor can we accept. To the contrary, we, who have been fighting here for the values you also hold, are indebted to him and his responsive staff in demonstrating solid social conservative credentials by undertaking the following actions here in Massachusetts:

“Staunchly defended traditional marriage. ...

“Fought for abstinence education. In 2006, under Governor Romney's leadership, Massachusetts' public schools began to offer a classroom program on abstinence from the faith-based Boston group Healthy Futures to middle school students. Promoting the program, Governor Romney stated, "I've never had anyone complain to me that their kids are not learning enough about sex in school. However, a number of people have asked me why it is that we do not speak more about abstinence as a safe and preventative health practice."

“Affirmed the culture of life. Governor Romney has vetoed bills to provide access to the so-called "morning-after pill," which is an abortifacient, as well as a bill providing for expansive, embryo-destroying stem cell research. He vetoed the latter bill in 2005 because he could not "in good conscience allow this bill to become law." ...

“All of this may explain why John J. Miller, the national political reporter of National Review, has written that "a good case can be made that Romney has fought harder for social conservatives than any other governor in America, and it is difficult to imagine his doing so in a more daunting political environment."

“We are aware of the 1994 comments of Senate candidate Romney, which have been the subject of much recent discussion... they do not dovetail with the actions of Governor Romney from 2003 until now - and those actions have positively and demonstrably impacted the social climate of Massachusetts.

“Since well before 2003, we have been laboring in the trenches of Massachusetts, fighting for the family values you and we share. It is difficult work indeed - not for the faint of heart. In this challenging environment, Governor Romney has proven that he shares our values, as well as our determination to protect them.

“For four years, Governor Romney has been right there beside us, providing leadership on key issues - whether it was politically expedient to do so or not. He has stood on principle, and we have benefited greatly from having him with us.

“It is clear that Governor Romney has learned much since 1994 - to the benefit of our movement and our Commonwealth. In fact, the entire nation has benefited from his socially conservative, pro-family actions in office. As we explained earlier, his leadership on the marriage issue helped prevent our nation from being plunged into even worse legal turmoil following the court decision that forced "gay marriage" upon our Commonwealth.

“For that our country ought to be thankful. We certainly are.”

An Open Letter Regarding Governor Mitt Romney - Jan 11, 2007

(For more info on the letter, read previous entry by clicking here)

(For a prominent Massachusetts pro-life leader's statement on Romney, who did not sign the letter, click here)

Expanded Open Letter with additional Social Conservatives signing on

The above letter has been expanded in light of incorrect information during the 2012 election. It has been signed by the same signatories as the first letter with a couple of additional signatories replacing one from the previous cycle. Also a dozen Florida social conservatives have signed onto the expanded letter.

The new letter includes the following:

"We do not agree with the claims that Gov. Romney is responsible for tax payer funded abortion under the Massachusetts health care system. That blame lies solely on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court who ruled in 1981 that the Massachusetts Constitution required payment for abortions for Medicaid-eligible women. In 1997, the Court reaffirmed its position that a state-subsidized plan must offer “medically necessary abortions.” "

James C. Dobson—
Chairman of Focus on the Family

"Later in the day [Tuesday, February 5, 2008], Dobson told talk-show host Dennis Prager that he would vote for Romney if the former Massachusetts governor won the GOP nomination"

(archived page — original link expired)

"That commitment to not cast a ballot for someone who would end preborn life has not wobbled one whit: certainly not in Dr. Dobson’s indication he could vote for either Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee, the two candidates who unapologetically championed the pro-life cause" (Citizen Link, a website run by Focus on the Family)

(archived page — original link expired)

» For more quotes from James Dobson, click here

Michael Novak—
Theologian, author, and former U.S. ambassador

“More and more this year, among the other pro-life candidates, I have been attracted by Mitt Romney’s good and cheerful disposition, level-headedness, and unruffable temperament (if there is such an adjective)... The discipline he has shown in his career tells me that he is tough-minded...

“I really admire several other Republican candidates for certain special qualities of their own... But I have gradually focused in on Mitt Romney as best representing what I would like to see in a President during the next four years...

“I have watched Mitt Romney’s steadiness under fire, and I endorse it.”

"Michael Novak received the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (a million-dollar purse awarded at Buckingham Palace) in 1994, and delivered the Templeton address in Westminster Abbey." He has received many other awards.

"Theologian, author, and former U.S. ambassador, Michael Novak currently holds the George Frederick Jewett Chair in Religion and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C."

"His writings have appeared in every major Western language, and in Bengali, Korean and Japanese... Mr. Novak has written some 25 influential books in the philosophy and theology of culture". Mr. Novak is a highly respected Catholic.

(For more statements by conservative and religious pro-life leaders, click here)

Mary Anne Glendon - Women Affirming Life Founder, gives statement on Mitt Romney - Jan 13, 2012

Noted Pro-Life Blogger Jill Stanek

“I have a soft spot for pro-life converts, which Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is. I think pro-lifers could do a better job of supporting them. I think it is time for that to happen for some of us...

“As to the most consequential duty of our next president, choosing 2-3 Supreme Court justices, Romney has already started down the path he promised. In August 2011 Romney formed a Judicial Advisory Committee, with two of the best pro-life minds agreeing to serve as chairpersons: Judge Robert Bork and Professor Mary Ann Glendon, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.

“As for lingering pro-life complaints against Romney, Glendon was part of a group of pro-life leaders from Massachusetts, which also included Kris Mineau, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Family Institute, and Ray Ruddy, President of the Gerard Health Foundation (which biannually awards Life Prizes), who corrected the record in a statement in January, posted on LifeNews.com:

“Governor Romney vetoed bills to provide access to the so-called “morning-after pill,” which is an abortifacient, as well as a bill providing for expansive, embryo-destroying stem cell research... In 2006, under Governor Romney’s leadership, Massachusetts’ public schools began to offer a classroom program on abstinence from the faith-based Boston group Healthy Futures to middle school students...”

“I agree with the sentiments expressed by Eric Scheidler, who wrote in an email (as a private citizen and not as Executive Director of Pro-Life Action League):

“... I’m nothing but thrilled I’ve got a good man to rally behind, and I’ll leave it to Team Obama to make Romney look like anything less.”

“Following on the heels of the National Right to Life Committee and Susan B. Anthony List endorsing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, noted pro-life blogger Jill Stanek is supporting him as well...

“Stanek says Romney will be a breath of fresh air in the White House as a welcome change from pro-abortion President Barack Obama, noting that he will likely very quickly restore the Mexico City Policy to stop taxpayer funding to the Planned Parenthood abortion business to promote and perform abortions abroad.

“ “There are also many intangibles a pro-life president brings to the table. Just imagine a president whose Justice Department allows states to defund Planned Parenthood without suing, for instance?” Stanek writes.

“But Stanek says the biggest change is a different approach on the kinds of judges who could either pave the way for ending abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade or extending the decision’s life another 40 years.”

SBA List Endorses Mitt Romney

“Washington, DC ─ Today the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List), a national pro-life organization, announced its endorsement of Mitt Romney for President.

“ “Now is the time to unite behind Governor Romney in order to defeat the most ideologically pro-abortion president in our nation’s history,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA List. “The SBA List is proud to endorse Governor Romney and plans to spend $10 to $12 million in senate and presidential battleground states mobilizing pro-life voters to ensure victory.”

“ “Women deserve a president who truly respects our views on an issue so central to womanhood,” continued Dannenfelser. “A President Romney will be that man...”

“ "The difference between Governor Romney and President Obama couldn’t be clearer, which is why our Board of Directors voted unanimously to get behind him," said Jane Abraham, Chairman of the SBA List Board of Directors. “It is the responsibility of all pro-life voters to now unite behind Governor Romney. Together we can put a pro-life leader in the White House.”

“Previously, Governor Mitt Romney has pledged to defund Planned Parenthood, restore the Mexico City Policy, support legislation to ban abortions based on fetal pain, and appoint only constitutionalist judges to the federal bench. Governor Romney has also committed to selecting a pro-life vice president.”

Ohio Pro-Life Group Endorses Mitt Romney for President

“The largest statewide pro-life organization in the presidential battleground state of Ohio has issued an endorsement for Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate seeking to take on pro-abortion President Barack Obama.

“The Ohio Right to Life Society Political Action Committee announced its “full support and endorsement of pro-life candidate Mitt Romney for President of the United States.”

“Mike Gonidakis, the director of Ohio Right to Life, said, “Americans find themselves at a tipping point leading up to the 2012 presidential election. During Obama’s first term, we have witnessed executive orders mandating taxpayer support of abortion-causing drugs, forced funding of life-destroying embryonic stem cell research and the socialization of healthcare... Governor Romney is committed to protecting mothers and their unborn babies. It is clear that he will appoint pro-life justices to the Supreme Court and by doing so, we will ultimately overturn Roe v. Wade.”

“Ohio Right to Life (board members pictured with Romney right) said it “announced its endorsement of Romney today to demonstrate that the national pro-life community is unified in its purpose and mission to defend all innocent human life at the ballot box...

“The group continued, “Governor Romney is committed to protecting pro-life values. He supports the Hyde Amendment and ending federal funding for the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. He is committed to upholding the sanctity of life and opposes the killing of human beings in the name of “science.” Most importantly, he believes that Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overturned.”

“ “In our battleground state, Ohio Right to Life strongly encourages pro-life Ohioans to lend their full support to this year’s pro-life presidential candidate, Mitt Romney,” ORTL concluded.”

“Gonidakis told LifeNews the choice between Romney and Obama was an easy one for the state pro-life group.

“ “There are stark, catastrophic and life changing differences between pro-abortion President Barack Obama and pro-life Governor Mitt Romney,” he said. “Pro-life Ohioans are genuinely frightened at the prospect of a second Obama term and that is why Ohio Right to Life PAC enthusiastically endorses Romney for President. Governor Romney has committed to eliminating the abortion mandates in Obamacare, repealing the HHS mandate and striking down the numerous pro-abortion executive orders Obama has enacted.”

“ “Simply put, during the next four years, the President will most likely handpick one to three new Supreme Court Justices. Do pro-life Ohioans want Governor Romney or President Obama making those selections? Four more years of a President Obama cannot be an option for anyone who values life and desires to overturn Roe v. Wade,” he continued.”

Pennsylvania Pro-Life Group Endorses Mitt Romney

“Mitt Romney will fearlessly guard hard-earned taxpayer money from being spent on abortion in so-called health care reform or any other federal program,” Gallagher said. “As Governor of Massachusetts, Romney demonstrated a consistent commitment to protecting innocent human life despite an extremely hostile legislature and judiciary.”

Wisconsin Right to Life Supports Mitt Romney

“We are extremely proud to endorse Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States. The choice between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama on right-to-life issues could not be more stark.”

“It is time for every American citizen who believes in the right to life cause to unite behind Mitt Romney.”

Rhode Island Right to Life endorses Mitt Romney

“Never has there been a more important presidential election for the pro-life movement,” Rhode Island RTL director Barth Bracy said. “Barack Obama has been the most pro-abortion president in our nation’s history. He has pursued, and continues to pursue, a radical abortion agenda, and recently, an unprecedented assault on religious liberty and rights of conscience. Knowing that this critical election will determine the fate of unborn children for decades to come, we call upon all pro-life citizens to unite behind Governor Mitt Romney.”

Bracy said, “Governor Romney has taken a strong pro-life position and is committed to implementing policies to protect the unborn, the medically dependent and disabled, and the elderly.”

“Romney opposes abortion and has called the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, “a big mistake.” He has expressed his support of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion,” Bracy continued. “He has stated that, if elected, he would reinstate the Mexico City Policy, which prevents federal dollars from going to organizations that perform or promote abortion overseas. And he supports the repeal of the Obama health care law, which would open the door to federal subsidies for abortion coverage and rationing of lifesaving medical care.”

“The Rhode Island State Right to Life Committee looks forward to Governor Romney’s election as our next pro-life president on November 6th,” Bracy concluded.

Arkansas Pro-Life Group Backs Mitt Romney

“Arkansas Right to Life said it was “proud and honored to add our endorsement of Governor Romney in his campaign to defeat the most pro-abortion president in our nation’s history.”

“In a statement released by Wayne Mays, President of Arkansas Right to Life, the group added:

“Governor Mitt Romney has a strong pro-life position and will be a strong pro-life President. Governor Romney opposes Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in all 50 states, and believes it should be overturned.

“Mitt Romney supports the Hyde Amendment and opposes using our tax dollars to subsidize abortion in any way. If elected, he will reinstate the Reagan-era Mexico City Policy that prevents federal dollars from going to organizations that perform or promote abortion overseas.

“The Obama health care law opens the door to federal subsidies for abortion coverage and rationing of lifesaving medical care. Governor Romney believes Obama Care should be repealed.

“President Obama supports abortion on demand, he supports using tax dollars to pay for abortion, and supports tax-funding of abortion providers. His health care law will enshrine abortion and rationing of medical care for generations to come if it is not repealed.

“We look forward to Mitt Romney’s election as our next pro-life president on November 6th.”

Michigan Pro-Life Group Backs Mitt Romney

“RLM-PAC Chairman Paul Miller said, “While the primary season can often be divisive, it is time for prolife people to come together and unite behind Mitt Romney to ensure President Barack Obama doesn’t spend another four years in the White House. We need a prolife president who is willing to respect and defend the sanctity of human life.”

“Miller said Romney has pledged to support the Hyde Amendment, which prevents certain federal funds from going to pay for abortions, supports the reversal of Roe v. Wade, favors efforts to prohibit abortion providers like Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding and has promised to appoint judges who follow the Constitution.

“On the other hand, Miller says Obama has implemented a series of pro-abortion provisions. He rescinded the Mexico City policy, which bars funding to organizations which provide and promote abortion overseas, strongly opposed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and pushed a health care plan without rules to prevent the subsidization of abortions.

“Miller said, “Words can hardly describe how important this election is for unborn children and other human beings whose lives aren’t deemed valuable by some in our society. Electing a prolife president is priority #1 for the RLM-PAC in 2012.”

Full Statement:

“Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, “We are working to educate the public in Michigan about the pro-life values of Mitt Romney and Pete Hoekstra while contrasting those prolife beliefs with the extreme pro-abortion positions of President Barack Obama and Senator Debbie Stabenow.

“ “People in our state are unaware that both President Obama and Senator Stabenow support tax-funded abortions and did not support a ban on partial-birth abortion. President Obama even opposed legislation to prohibit sex-selection abortions,” she told LifeNews.”

Right to Life of Michigan's informational page on Mitt Romney:

Nevada Pro-Life Group Backs Mitt Romney

“Jeremy McNeil, Executive Director of Nevada Right to Life PAC, announced that the PAC has endorsed Mitt Romney for president. In a statement, he said:

“Nevada Right to Life PAC’s endorsement of Mitt Romney reflects his sincere determination to promote the culture of life in the United States. “Our Country is at a critical juncture; the very concept of the dignity of human life is under unprecedented attack. Nevada Right to Life PAC is convinced Mitt Romney will work diligently to reverse pro-abortion legislative and administrative actions and to protect innocent life – unborn children, medically disabled or dependent persons, and the elderly, whose lives are threatened by abortion or euthanasia.”

“McNeil added, “Nevada Right to Life PAC is proud to endorse Mitt Romney for President of the United States.” ”

West Virginia Pro-Life Group Backs Mitt Romney

“The West Virginians for Life PAC also announced a endorsement for Romney and its president, Wanda Franz, Ph.D., said, “Mitt Romney’s pro-life positions are representative of the strong pro-life commitment of West Virginia voters. We look forward to his successful campaign here in our state.” ”

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